Botetourt County, Virginia

Fincastle, seat of Botetourt Co, was established in 1772 on land donated by Israel Christian. Botetourt Co was named for Norborne Berkeley, Baron De Botetourt, then governor of Virginia.  

Genealogists from around the country converge on the Botetourt County Courthouse researching family histories because Botetourt once stretched to the Mississippi River.
(See Counties formed from Botetourt County)

• Botetourt County, VA - Gen Web Archives 

• Botetourt County Historical Society 

• Botetourt County Marriages 

• Botetourt County Place Names 

• Virginia Civil War Home Page 

• Botetourt County VA Genealogy Forum 

• Botetourt County VA - RootsWeb.com 

• Botetourt County CSA Units  

Tax Lists

• 1794 Botetourt County, Virginia Personal Property Tax List 

• 1790 Census Tax List  

• 1800 Census Tax List  

Neighboring Counties

• Alleghany County  

• Bedford County  

• Craig County  

• Roanoke County  

• Rockbridge County  

Maps for

• 1634  

• 1738  

• 1770  

• 1776  

• 1791  

• 1792  

Census Tables 

• 1810 Census - Part 1  

• 1810 Census - Part 2  

• 1850 Census - Partial  

• 1850 Census - Part 1  

• 1850 Census - Part 2  

• 1850 Census - Part 3  

• 1850 Census - Part 4  

• 1850 Census - Part 5  

• 1850 Census - Part 6  

• 1850 Census - Part 7  

• 1850 Census - Part 8  

• 1850 Census - Part 9  

• 1850 Census - Part 10  

• 1850 Census - Part 11  

• 1850 Census - Part 12  

• 1850 Census - Part 13  

Miscellaneous

• Virginia Symbols  

• Cyndi's List - Virginia  

Historic Fincastle is the most obvious place to begin telling you about the historical sites in Botetourt. Fincastle's Historic District is on the Virginia Register of Historic Landmarks. Fincastle was founded in 1772 and named after Lord Fincastle, son of Lord Dunmore, Virginia's last royal governor. Antebellum churches, tree-lined street, a courthouse designed by Thomas Jefferson, restored homes and a quaint village atmosphere make it a wonderful place to visit. 

Botetourt County Historical Society maintains the Botetourt County History Museum in Fincastle. It is located behind the courthouse and membership in the Historical Society is welcomed. For information, contact the Historical Society, P.O. Box 468, Fincastle, VA 24090, or call 540/473-8394.

More than a dozen other Botetourt sites are on the Virginia Historic Landmarks Register. Included are Breckinridge Mill near Fincastle, Callie Furnace near Glen Wilton, Nininger's Mill (Tinker Mill) in Daleville, Phoenix Bridge near Eagle Rock, Prospect Hill near Fincastle, Roaring Run Furnace at Roaring Run, Santillane in Fincastle, Wiloma near Fincastle, Wilson Warehouse in Buchanan, Varney's Falls Lock and Dam from the James River and Kanawha Canal on the James River east of Buchanan, and archaeological sites at Bessemer near Eagle Rock and at Looney Mill Creek near Buchanan.

Historical markers abound throughout the county, providing a glimpse of the past. One in Fincastle notes that Meriwether Lewis and William Clark departed from this frontier town when they were commissioned by President Thomas Jefferson to explore the Louisiana Purchase. Other markers point to frontier forts, Indian raids and the like.

Genealogists from around the country converge on the Botetourt County Courthouse researching family histories because Botetourt once stretched to the Mississippi River.(see Counties formed from Botetourt County)

In Buchanan, the only swinging bridge that crosses the James River is on abutments that date back 150 years.

Locks, canal abutments and tunnels from the James River and Kanawha Canal offer a look at the country's early mode of transportation.